THE traditional fresh air and fun plus all the jollity of the illuminations were features of the Chartered Society's Annual Congress at Blackpool on September 19 and 20.

On the previous evening members were treated to a welcome party wi th a jazz band playing old favourites in the ornate Renaissance room of the Winter Gardens.

A tram ride offered a seven-mile round trip to view the illuminations - a sight not to be missed.

The Thursday night provided maximum opportunities for socialising, starting with a civic reception in the Imperial Hotel where members were welcomed by Councillor Derek Lockwood.

This was followed by the Congress dinner, at which toasts were proposed by Baroness Robson of Kiddington, Miss Patricia Waddington and Mrs Tricia Phillips. Mrs Joyce Wise replied on behalf of the CSP.

Mr Michael Jack, MP for Fylde and parliamentary under-Secretary of State at

the Department of Social Security, resp- onded on behalf of guests. He mentioned the t w o new disability allowances which would come into effect from April 1992 to provide support for working and living, and asked for the co-operation of physio- therapists in helping claimants to specify their difficulties. He intended to include a physiotherapist on the Disability Advisory Board. Physiotherapists could also make a valuable contribution to the regional appeals system, said Mr Jack, and he urged members to put their names forward to serve on a Regional Disability Appeal Tr i bun a I.

An alternative to the dinner was a disco with buffet supper; dinner guests could also go to the disco afterwards.

Perhaps because of these festivities, only five people took part in the fun run along the promenade next morning at 7.30 am. Judy Emmett, Gerard Hargreaves, Patricia Kehl, Helen Riley and Neil Wilkinson were all

Centre left: Lynn Duxbury, public relations officer, checks a file while Sara Durham (centre), events assistant, and Nikki Conn, a Salford srudenr, prepare to welcome delegates at the registration desk

Above: Three vice-presidents (left to right): Mrs U J Vidler, Miss A M Elphick, and Miss J M Piercy, with new Fellow of the Society Mr P E Wells

Left: Guests at the Thursday evening disco in the Imperial Hotel

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Blackpool, September N91 rewarded w i th a buck's fizz breakfast.

The Representatives' Conference took up most of the time, with the Founders' lecture, given by Mrs Sheila Philbrook, being the only formal presentation. This will be published in a future issue of Physiotherapy. A poster display showed recent research, and several fringe meetings were organised by Specific Interest Groups and commercial firms.

The Churchill Livingstone award was achieved by Basim Mokhtar of the University of Ulster for his work on low level laser therapy. It was accepted on his behalf by Mrs M P McCoy who said he planned to spend it on computer software to record his literature review.

Fellowships of the Society were presented to Miss Angela Jill Guymer, Mrs Margot Hawker, Miss Lorraine de Souza and Mr Peter Edward Wells. An honorary Fellowship was conferred on Dame Josephine Mary Taylor Barnes, in recognition of her work as president of the Association of Chartered

Top: Billy Metcalfe in the Congress creche

Above: Mr Jim Banbury, CSP director of finance, relaxes with Council members at the Congress dinner - left to right, seated: Eileen Thornton, Patricia McCoy, Bridget Davis and Catherine van de Ven. Standing: Julia Lamb, Ann Compton, Alison White and Kathryn Delpak

Centre right: Mrs Joyce Wise, retiring chairman, is presented with a bouquet by the new chairman, Tricia Phill;ps

Right: Sarah Durham starts the early- morning race along the promenade

Physiotherapists in Obstetrics and Gynae-

Opening the Fellowships ceremony, the chairman of Council, Mrs Joyce Wise, said they were an essential recognition of the contribution made by leading professionals. She reminded the audience that any three members could put names forward for the award of a Fellowship or honorary Fellowship - she hoped to see their number steadily increasing.

An exhibition by manufacturers was conveniently arranged around the confer- ence hall and interspersed w i th food and drink serving stations. Specific Interest Groups mounted stands w i th in the conference room itself, and a CSP stand at the entrance did a lively trade.

Vo I u n t e e r workers th roughout the conference were students from Salford School of Physiotherapy, whose help contributed greatly to a well received and enjoyable Congress '91.

colog y.

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